"If a sponsor who has supported the series all year doesn’t make it in the biggest race of the year, it’s a huge blow to the overall health of the series" -- IndyCar team owner Michael Andretti, on the need for full-time entries in the series to have locked-in spots at the Indianapolis 500 (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/19).
"I see more often, women, especially female athletes, being told to be grateful for opportunity. And certainly we are. But at some point that line of being grateful has to be broken to ask for more or to demand for more. ... There's got to be better out there for us" -- Former CWHL Players' Association Chair Liz Knox, on the league's demise and the future for women's hockey (AP, 4/18).
"This is likely something that the NFL would seek to avoid in the future. I'd love a redo on that one" -- NFL VP/Broadcasting Michael North, on both the Raiders and Buccaneers each having one home game over a six week stretch during the season. Both teams will "serve as the nominal 'home' team for a contest in London" during that stretch (USA TODAY, 4/19).
"When (ESPN) started to show excitement about it and that was evident to us, then I felt like there was more of a confidence that if we do this, they will come" -- Michigan gymnastics coach Bev Plocki, on this weekend's NCAA championships going with a Final Four structure on ESPNU for the first time (WASHINGTON POST, 4/19).
“There are good hockey teams in Canada” -- Quebec Premier Francois Legault, answering in part a question from interim Parti Quebecois leader Pascal Berube about why he is proud to be a Canadian (CP, 4/18).
